Navigating the Immigration Landscape: A Discussion with MARTIM CEO, Ebrahim Yousefi
In a Q&A session with Ebrahim Yousefi, CEO and partner at CC Holding, we delve into the intricacies and challenges faced by individuals in the relocation and immigration market. With 12 years of experience, including nine years managing European offices and the last three in Istanbul, Turkey, Ebrahim sheds light on the decision to relocate the main office to a non-EU country and the unique dynamics of the Turkish market compared to the European landscape and South Africa.
Q: Ebrahim, after a decade in the immigration and investment market, why did you choose to move your headquarters to Turkey, especially when you already had active offices in three EU countries and one in South Africa?
A: The decision to move our main office to Turkey was driven by a desire to demonstrate to our clients that we are not just service providers with coveted passports. We understand the challenges faced by immigrants firsthand. Despite operating offices in three EU countries, I believe that many European service providers, who manage clients remotely from their headquarters, may not fully grasp the complexities involved. Being based in Turkey allows us to be more immersed in the challenges our clients encounter.
Q: Having extensive experience, what do you consider the most significant challenge for clients in the immigration market?
A: In my opinion, the most daunting challenge is the prevalence of misleading and false information propagated by lawyers and service providers. Approximately 30% of our consultancy meetings are spent rectifying the misconceptions caused by inaccurate information found on various websites or conveyed during sales meetings by other firms.
Q: How can clients differentiate between genuine service providers and those offering false promises?
A: Firstly, I advise clients to steer clear of consultations with salespeople in this industry. Always insist on speaking directly with managers and licensed consultants. Being an immigration lawyer alone doesn't guarantee a secure case. Look for red flags during consultations, such as extravagant promises of guaranteed results, insistence on high investment cases, reliance on third-party services, or advertising programs that the destination country's government is unaware of, like the "Hungary golden visa" or "Greece citizenship by golden visa," which may be mere marketing ploys.
Ebrahim Yousefi emphasizes the importance of discernment in choosing immigration service providers, urging clients to be vigilant against misleading information and to prioritize direct communication with experienced consultants.